'It’s a pipe dream, but it got the votes.'

'We're going to lose trust, and that's just the truth'

'We just want this to be a safer area'

Malik Beasley's money problems have been revealed

'$10.5 billion in research'

Movies & TV the old guard The Old Guard 2 Delivers the Same Thrills and Fervor as Its Predecessor If they could just keep making these movies forever, that would be great. By Emmet Asher-Perrin | Published on July 2, 2025 Credit: Netflix Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Netflix Normally, I would begin with some introductory thoughts about the first Old Guard film that segued seamlessly into further discussion of its sequel, but trouble is, I would like to complain instead? It’s been five years, Netflix. You made me wait for five years for a sequel to this absolute gem of a movie. Marvel drowns us in films and television several times a year, and it’s been half a decade since I saw my favorite immortals. Of course, the film itself picks up exactly six months later. Good thing all these actors are strangely ageless… We pick up precisely where the first film left us in its final scene: Quynh (Vân Veronica Ngô) has found the exiled Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), and clearly means to locate Andy (Charlize Theron) after centuries of torment locked in a coffin at the bottom of the sea. At the same time, Andy’s crew are getting used to having Nile (KiKi Layne) around, and using James Copley’s (Chiwetel Ejiofor) intel to hit more useful targets in order to benefit the world. The current hits are all associated with running very powerful weapons to an unknown buyer that the team can’t manage to track down. Oh, and Uma Thurman is running around. Her name is Discord, and she’s apparently the earliest immortal, even before Andy. We learn this through immortal librarian Tuah (Henry Golding), who has some other fun theories due to the legends he’s pieced together about their kind over the centuries. Theories about Nile, and why Andy’s immortality ran out, and what Discord might want. Whatever you may think of these reveals, the library is gorgeous. I have a lot of questions about how it was maintained over the years or created in the first place, but I would like to live in that library, please and thank you. Do these different conceits all jive together as a cohesive mythology? At the moment, not even close. Do I care? Not remotely. I’ve got my immortals back, and they’re just as precious as I remember. We begin with an action set piece that involves boats and car chases and guns and swords and incredibly tasteless artwork. (There’s neon glock signage? Various aged statues painted garish single colors? Terrible satin pajamas?) The action sequences are gorgeous as ever, maybe even a step up from the previous outing, especially where Andy and Nile’s skills are concerned; Andy always looks like she’s dancing when she fights, and while Nile is less experienced, it hardly matters for her efficiency. Speaking of action sequences: Victoria Mahoney steps into the vacancy left by previous director Gina Prince-Bythewood, and does her proud across the board here. The transition feels seamless, Mahoney taking the vernacular of her predecessor and keeping everything that works, while offering a stamp all her own. Here’s hoping this opens the door to many more projects going forward—Mahoney’s work with this crew should be recommendation enough, and that’s without getting into the fact that she was the first woman to ever direct any bit of Star Wars (she was a second unit director on The Rise of Skywalker). One of Mahoney’s forthcoming projects is supposed to be an adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Dawn with Ava DuVernay. Maybe this will give Amazon the nudge to get things moving on that front… I should mention that there’s a lot of convenience in the plot of The Old Guard 2; Tuah’s existence has been kept from Andy’s crew because he supposedly asked her to do so, and it’s hard for the setup with himself and Discord not to feel contrived. But because all of the actors are so strong in their roles, so believable as ancient beings with wisdoms and desires beyond what mortal humans want, it’s hard to be bothered. And what’s more, the (somewhat understandable) cruelty of Booker’s fate from the first film is addressed in a way that befits these characters—because as we see over and over, rather than an insistence that immortality makes a person callous and disconnected, the Old Guard maintain an empathy for humanity and each other that is staggering and beautiful. Oh. Oh, that’s what Eternals was supposed to do. (And didn’t.) The dialogue doesn’t always serve these moments, but the cast manages to show the underlying emotion regardless. This is particularly true of Andy and Quynh’s reunion; the betrayal Quynh is feeling runs too deep, making it hard to put into words, but Ngô and Theron infuse those scenes with so much anguish and longing, you can see where they’re headed. It’s heartening, too, that the sequel never balks at the setup that immortality also begets queerness—Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and Joe (Marwan Kenzari) are going strong as ever, Andy and Quynh are locked in their perpetual comrades/girlfriends/soulmates/wives situationship, even Tuah has a moment where he gives Copley the a-okay (Ejiofor plays it off adorably). Image: Netflix Thurman’s Discord is the only character truly underserved in all this—she’s simply evil and egotistical to the max. It’s still fun to watch her and Andy go toe-to-toe, though. And while certain mechanics of the previous plot are repeated in service of sequeldom, there’s one thing these films do that I’ll always appreciate: The women are the ones constantly driving the action and rescuing everyone, and the script flip never feels contrived on that front. They’ve simply put all their female characters in the most powerful positions, while the men get to be infinitely soft and kind (even when they’re wrecks, as in Booker’s case). The unique style of action helps The Old Guard films to stand out, but its heart lies in the quiet moments between its characters. Connection sustains its story—in many ways, these films remind me of the Sense8 television series, which is some of the highest praise I can offer a piece of fiction. Stories about the beauty of knowing people deeply, of loving them beyond reason or doubt, and of the incredible things we can do when we allow those relationships to populate our lives. The Old Guard 2 ends on a cliffhanger in the hope of more films, and while this formula stays true, I’ll never say no to at least one more adventure. Oh, and that Joe and Nicky prequel, remember Netflix? We all want it? It ‘s maybe the only time folks really do need and want a prequel? Any time you would like to get on that…[end-mark] The post <i>The Old Guard 2</i> Delivers the Same Thrills and Fervor as Its Predecessor appeared first on Reactor.

Come learn how to make lavender oil with our simple step-by-step recipe. It’s exceptionally easy to make soothing, heavenly-scented homemade lavender oil. All you need is oil, dry lavender flowers, and a little time! While not as concentrated as pure essential oils, there are many wonderful ways to use lavender infused oil for natural skincare, culinary creations, and more. This guide also includes 10 ways to use homemade lavender oil and it’s amazing benefits. We’ve been making our own lavender oil for nearly 10 years, so I have plenty of tips on how to make the most luxurious and nourishing oil possible! Note: This post was originally published in July 2020 but significantly updated. Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Lavender Infused Oil vs Essential Oils This guide will teach you how to make lavender oil by infusing dried lavender flowers in a nourishing carrier oil of choice (such as olive oil or sweet almond oil) for several weeks or longer. As the dry flowers soak and steep, the natural essential oils and other beneficial compounds found in lavender are drawn out and into the surrounding oil. This kind of homemade lavender oil is different from concentrated lavender essential oils, which are made through a distillation extraction process rather than infusion. While there are some home and hobby-size stills available, distillation is most often done on a large industrial scale. Furthermore, it takes a huge amount of fresh lavender flowers to produce a tiny amount of oil! In contrast, the method we’re using in this tutorial can create a significant amount of lavender oil with far less flowers. What kind of lavender can I use to make lavender oil? The short answer is: any kind. I make lavender oil using a combination of several varieties that we grow in our garden. They all smell wonderful and have excellent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-anxiety properties. Using organically-grown lavender is preferred. Rich in sweet-smelling essential oils, true English lavender varieties are the most esteemed for edible and medicinal applications. English lavender and hybrid lavandin varieties (L. x intermedia) taste the best, so stick with those if you are planning to make lavender oil for culinary use.  While technically edible, Spanish and French lavender tend to taste more herbaceous or bitter due to their higher camphor content. However, camphor is excellent at easing swelling, itching, and pain! By using a mix of English, French, and Spanish lavender, I can reap the benefits of them all! Supplies Needed Dried lavender flowers or buds, enough to fill your chosen jar or container at least two-thirds full. You can use homegrown or store-bought dried lavender, as long as it’s 100% dry. If the flowers are not fully dry, the leftover moisture can cause the lavender oil to grow mold or spoil! Using dry flowers also helps to extract the maximum essential oils possible. See four ways to dry fresh herbs here. Carrier oil of choice – such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. You’ll need about the same volume of oil as the size container you select. See more information about choosing the best carrier oil below. A glass jar or other container with a lid. I used a modest ½ pint jar for this example, which would be great if you only need a small amount – such as to fill a few rollers to use the lavender oil straight. Yet if you intend to make lavender salve or other homemade body care products, I recommend using at least a pint jar or more. A fine mesh strainer, sieve, and/or organic cheesecloth Optional: organic lavender essential oil EXPERT TIP: To create the most therapeutic and aromatic lavender oil, it’s important to harvest young and fresh flowers instead of using older, fading buds – which have much lower essential oil content. The flowers should also be air-dried or dehydrated on very low heat to preserve the maximum beneficial compounds. Learn how to harvest and dry fresh lavender flowers here. Best Carrier Oils to Make Lavender Oil Popular carrier oils used to make lavender oil include extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, argan oil, and more. Organic jojoba oil is my personal favorite, especially for my face! We also sometimes blend two types of oils, such as almond and jojoba oil. If you’d like to make lavender oil for culinary use, be sure to use an edible carrier oil. If you want homemade lavender oil for topical use, choose a carrier oil that’s compatible and beneficial for your skin type (e.g. consider comedogenic ratings).  No matter what you choose, I highly suggest using a high-quality, unrefined, cold-pressed oil. Certified organic is all the better. The goal is to create a healing medicinal oil after all!  LEARN MORE: Visit our guide on the best 11 Carrier Oil Options for Skin Care, Salves and Infusions to learn more about the unique benefits and properties of each. Instructions 1) Infuse and Wait Fill a glass container at least three-quarters full of dried lavender flowers or buds. Pour your carrier oil of choice over the dry lavender, filling the container enough so that all the flowers can be fully submerged and move freely in the oil. Add a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a moderately warm location, such as near a sunny window, inside a warm cabinet, or on top of a warm appliance. While some herbalists may have a preference, it doesn’t make much of a difference if the jar is stored in the dark or light – but a little warmth does help it infuse better! Allow the lavender oil to to infuse for at least two weeks* or up to 1 month (or longer) for the best results and maximum extraction possible. If possible, set the jar somewhere you’ll remember to stop by and gently shake it on occasion. Lavender tends to float in oil, so you’ll want to lightly turn and swirl the jar to keep things mixed up (this is most important during the first few days). *I much prefer this slow, passive infusion process (since many therapeutic compounds and essential oils are destroyed by heat) but it’s also possible to gently heat lavender and oil on the stove to get same-day results. Learn more in this separate guide on how to make herb infused oil. 2) Strain When the time is up, strain the lavender flowers and reserve the oil. We do this by positioning a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and pouring it all through. Let it sit to fully drip and drain for at least 15 minutes. I like to line our strainer with cheesecloth or a reusable nut milk bag for extra-fine filtration. That way, I can also wring out the cloth or bag of lavender to squeeze out every bit of oil possible.  Finally, pour the strained oil into a clean jar for storage. (If you wash and re-use the same jar, be sure it’s fully dry before storing the oil in it!) 3) Add Lavender Essential Oil (Optional) Our homemade lavender oil always has a very pleasant, noticeable-yet-mild lavender aroma. (It will never be as strong as the essential oils you may be accustomed to.) To give it extra oomph and aromatherapy benefits, we often add a few drops of our favorite organic lavender essential oil too. The recommended safe dilution ratio for essential oils is about 2%, or up to 12 drops of essential oils per fluid ounce of carrier oil. Yet since the oil was already infused with whole lavender flowers, you can use far less here. I suggest adding just a few drops, gently stir, give it a sniff, and adjust as needed. Storage and Shelf Life Store the finished lavender oil in a clean glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container in a dry, cool, dark location. You can also store lavender oil in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. The shelf life of homemade lavender oil varies and depends on the type of carrier oil (check the bottle) and condition of flowers used. Some oils are more prone to becoming rancid faster than others. Most have an average shelf life of about 1 year. (Another reason I love jojoba oil: it’s good for up to 5 years!) The Benefits of Lavender Oil Lavender and calm go hand-in-hand. The soothing aroma of lavender is proven to help reduce anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia, perfect for bedtime or when you’re feeling frazzled. The scent is also known to deter pest insects like mosquitoes and flies, making lavender oil a popular ingredient in many natural insect repellents.  Aromatherapy aside, lavender has powerful healing abilities when used topically. Scientific studies show that lavender is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, an antioxidant, and has the ability to relieve pain. It can also help repair damaged skin tissue and heal wounds. This makes it awesome to heal rashes, bites, burns, acne, scrapes, eczema, stings, scars, and more. You can see why lavender is incorporated into so many natural skin care products!  Lavender oil turned into homemade lavender salve 10 Ways to Use Lavender Infused Oil As a soothing facial moisturizer to help with redness, dry skin, acne, and more. A little goes a long way! You’ll only need a few drops. As an ingredient in other homemade skincare products. Many natural body care recipes call for oil, such as in body butter, lotion, salve, soap, and more! Learn how to make our popular homemade lavender salve here. For more ideas, I highly recommend this organic body care recipe book. As a luxurious and calming massage oil to calm nerves, relieve muscle tension, pain, and inflammation. Other topical applications: You can use lavender oil directly on other parts of your body as a general moisturizer, on bug bites, sunburns, eczema, stings, rashes, scars, scrapes, and more! Add homemade lavender oil to essential oil rollers to apply on your neck, wrists, and temples as a soothing natural perfume or bedtime relaxant. As a hair treatment to condition hair, moisturize your scalp, and potentially thicken hair. Coconut oil, olive oil, and argan oil are especially popular for deep moisturizing hair treatments. Plus, this study showed that lavender can help stimulate hair growth! Simply apply an even coat of oil to your hair, massage it into your scalp, pin your hair up away from your clothes, and allow it to sit for anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours. Then use shampoo as usual to wash away the oil. To remove makeup. Lavender oil makes a great natural makeup remover! Oil naturally draws out impurities, while the lavender soothes redness, inflammation, and targets acne. Avoid contact with sensitive areas around your eyes. In the kitchen. Lavender is especially popular to use in sweet and savory marinades, dressings, sauces, and baked goods. Have a recipe that calls for oil? Simply swap out all or part of your usual selection with lavender oil instead. Of course, ensure your carrier oil is edible (and tasty) before chowing down! In natural cleaning products. Homemade cleaning spray recipes often call for oils, to help make countertops or stainless steel surface shine! We often incorporate a little lavender oil to our favorite homemade vinegar and lemon cleaning spray. Here is a gentle DIY countertop recipe that utilizes essential oils, perfect for granite. Give it as a gift. Make a bigger batch and divvy it up into cute little bottles or jars to share with friends and family. Include a note or label to share the many ways to use it, or direct them here! See this list of my favorite 27+ DIY gift ideas, including mason jar gifts, food, sustainable crafts and more. We also sell organic lavender salve in the Homestead and Chill shop! Easy peasy! I hope this guide gave you plenty of ideas and inspiration to start making your own nourishing lavender oil at home. As you can see, it is quite easy to to do! If you enjoyed this article, please leave a review below. As always, thank you for tuning in! Don’t miss these related articles: How to Make Homemade Lavender Salve How to Make Rosehip Infused Oil, and 12 Ways to Use It Harvesting Fresh Lavender: How to Harvest, Prune & Dry Lavender Flowers How to Make Soothing Chickweed Salve Recipe and Infused Oil  11 Best Carrier Oils for Skin Care, Salves and Infusions How to Make Homemade Calendula Salve for Healthy Skin Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. Print Homemade Lavender Oil Recipe Learn how to make lavender oil with our easy step-by-step guide. All you need is a carrier oil, dry lavender flowers, and a little time! Then you can use homemade lavender oil on it's own (e.g. as moisturizer or massage oil), as an ingredient in DIY skincare products like soap or salve, in culinary creations, and more. Keyword homemade lavender oil, lavender oil, lavender-infused oil, natural beauty, natural health, natural skincare Prep Time 10 minutes minutesInfusion time 14 days days Equipmentglass container or jar with lidfine mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth IngredientsDried lavender flowers or buds, homegrown or organic if possibleCarrier oil of choice (enough to fill your chosen container). Select a high-quality, unrefined, cold-pressed, and organic oils for the most healthy and healing lavender oil. Popular options for natural skincare include jojoba oil, olive oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and more! optional: lavender essential oils InstructionsObtain dried lavender flowers. It is important to start with 100% dry flowers.Fill a clean glass container about ¾ full of dried lavender buds. Pour your choice of oil over the dried lavender flowers, until the container is full and/or until the flowers are completely submerged.Place a lid on the container, and store it in a moderately warm location to enhance infusion, such as a warm cabinet, on top of a warm appliance, or near a sunny window. Dark or light is okay. Allow the oil and flowers to infuse for at least two weeks, up to a month (or longer) for the best results. Shake/turn the jar on occasion to keep the floating flowers coated with oil. When the time is up, strain the flowers from the oil. Line a fine-mesh strainer or canning funnel with cheesecloth (or use a reusable nutmilk bag), place it over a clean glass container, and then pour the oil and flowers in to drain. Squeeze the cheesecloth sack of flowers to extract every last bit of oil! Optional: Add lavender essential oils for little extra oomph of aroma. The recommended safe dilution ratio for essential oils is about 2%, or 12 drops of EOs per fluid ounce of carrier oil, but we use far less. Try just a few drops and then adjust as needed. Store the finished lavender oil in a cool, dry location. It can also be stored in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life. Read the information on your carrier oil bottle to determine the recommended shelf life of your lavender oil.Enjoy! Use your lavender oil as a daily facial moisturizer (only a few drops needed), as a massage or body oil, an ingredient in other homemade skincare recipes such as salve or soap, to condition hair, as a makeup remover, as marinade or in baked goods (if an edible oil was used), in homemade cleaning products, or give it as a gift! The post How to Make Homemade Lavender Oil: Easy Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. On July 1, 2025, the European Union’s Code of Conduct on Disinformation became something else entirely. What was once pitched as a voluntary effort by tech companies to clean up their platforms is now an official requirement under the EU censorship law, the Digital Services Act (DSA). The biggest online platforms and search engines will need to meet strict transparency standards, undergo audits, and show that they can keep what Brussels calls “disinformation” in check. The message is clear enough: fall short during an audit, and expect to hear from the regulators. Brussels couldn’t have picked a more delicate moment for this move. Trade negotiations with the United States are on a tight deadline, and the mood between the two is already tense. This type of regulatory hardball has not gone unnoticed in Washington. American officials remember what happened when Canada tried something similar with its digital services tax. President Donald Trump labeled the move as “obviously copying the European Union.” Meta’s Joel Kaplan took to his podium to thank Trump for “standing up for American tech companies in the face of unprecedented attacks from other governments.” The result was that trade talks between the US and Canada hit a wall until Ottawa quietly shelved its tax plans. Now the EU seems determined to test how far it can push its digital agenda without suffering the same fate. US politicians, mostly Republicans, have wasted no time calling out censorship disguised as risk management. European officials are doing their best to dodge the charge. The EU’s line is that the rules target systemic risks in algorithms and advertising rather than individual content. Under the new system, platforms labeled as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) will face yearly audits. These audits are supposed to assess how well companies manage the risks linked to disinformation. The Commission made sure to clarify that while signing the Code is technically voluntary, meeting the Code’s standards is expected. A spokesperson explained, “Compliance with the Code is voluntary. Compliance with the DSA is not.” The EU now faces the task of trying to sell its censorship system. With trade talks at risk and growing skepticism from the other side of the Atlantic, it remains to be seen whether Brussels can apply its censorship demands without swift backlash. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post EU Turns Voluntary “Disinformation” Code Into Mandatory Rule Under New Censorship Law, Risking US Trade Tensions appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Columbia University Gets More Bad News

It will not always be like this; our planet’s orbit is becoming more circular.